MUTUAL LAW ENFORCEMENT ASSISTANCE AGREEMENT 

SOUTHWEST WASHINGTON REGIONAL S.W.A.T./NEGOTIATING TEAM / TACTICAL 

EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES 

Battle Ground Police Department, Camas Police Department, Clark County Sheriff’s Office, La 

Center Police Department, Ridgefield Police Department, Vancouver Police Department, 

Washougal Police Department and Washington State University 

THIS MUTUAL LAW ENFORCEMENT ASSISTANCE AGREEMENT is entered into by and 

between the undersigned parties on behalf of their respective law enforcement agencies in order 

to provide for the creation and administration of the Southwest Washington Regional (SWWR) 

Special Weapons and Tactics team (SWAT), Tactical Emergency Medical Support team (TEMS) 

SWAT K9, and Crisis Negotiating Teams (CNT). 

Therefore, for and in consideration of the following covenants, the parties agree as follows: 

1. Effective Date and Duration 

1.1. This Agreement shall be effective from the date the Agreement is executed by at 

least two parties and shall remain in force and effect for period of (2) years. 

Thereafter, the parties, by prior mutual agreement in writing, may extend the 

Agreement, in which case the Agreement shall renew automatically on the 1st day 

of each following January thereafter unless terminated in accordance with the 

provisions of section 11 of this Agreement. The parties acknowledge that some of 

the above-mentioned provisions conflict or may conflict with the terms of the 

Master Agreement. All parties intend that the effective date and term of this 

agreement shall govern. 

2. Purpose and Function 

2.1. The purpose of this Agreement is to provide for the creation and administration of 

a single, functionally consolidated Southwest Washington Regional S.W.A.T. 

Team (“SWWR SWAT”), including SWAT K9, Tactical Emergency Medical 

Support Team (“TEMS”), and Crisis Negotiating Team (“CNT”), as is authorized 

by RCW 39.34 and RCW 10.93, and in conjunction with the Master Agreement 

between the parties. 

3. Organization 

3.1 No separate legal or administrative entity is created by this Agreement and this 

Agreement does not effect the organization of functions of the parties except as 

provided below. 

MUTUAL LAW ENFORCEMENT ASSISTANCE AGREEMENT REGIONAL S.W.A.T. / NEGOTIATING 

TEAM / TEMS 

__/__/2017 Page 1 of 11 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4. SWWR SWAT 

4.1 Team Structure: 

4.1.1 The Vancouver Police Department is the host agency for SWWR SWAT 

and commits a full time sergeant position for the administration and 

supervision of the SWWR SWAT Team. 

4.1.2. Lieutenants/Commanders from both VPD and CCSO will share team 

organizational command. 

4.1.3. The Team Leader of the SWWR SWAT will be jointly decided upon by 

the assigned CCSO and VPD SWWR SWAT Commanders. 

4.1.4. The SWWR SWAT unit should consist of ten (10) officers and (1) 

Commander from Clark County Sheriff’s Department and (10) officers 

and (1) Lieutenant from Vancouver Police Department. Four (4) additional 

positions will be designated as “floating positions,” two (2) of which will 

be dedicated to small agencies who have a candidate. The other two 

floating positions, as well as the two dedicated small agency positions if 

not filled, may be occupied by any sworn personnel of any participating 

agency. When subsequent attrition occurs in the SWWR SWAT Team, 

such vacancies shall be filled based on a mutually agreed to and managed 

selection process. 

4.1.5. Incident command shall be the responsibility of the agency of jurisdiction 

in which the incident occurs. The agency of jurisdiction may delegate 

incident command responsibility to a command officer from another 

agency but will still be required to provide a liaison to the designated 

Incident Commander for the duration of the event. 

4.1.6. SWWR SWAT manual and procedures will be standardized and agreed to 

by all participating agencies. Each participating agency understands that 

SWWR SWAT, when activated in their respective jurisdictions, will act 

per the SWWR SWAT Operations Manual. 

4.1.7. Except as provided herein, all personnel are deemed to be continuing 

employment for their respective employers when activated as members of 

the functionally consolidated SWWR SWAT unit. 

4.1.8. Tactics used by the SWWR SWAT unit will be tactics generally 

recognized as viable tactical options by the Washington State Criminal 

Justice Training Commission, the Washington State Tactical Officers 

Association, the National Tactical Officers Association, or the 

International Association of Chiefs of Police or by other reputable sources. 

MUTUAL LAW ENFORCEMENT ASSISTANCE AGREEMENT REGIONAL S.W.A.T. / NEGOTIATING 

TEAM / TEMS 

__/__/2017 Page 2 of 11 
 

 

 

 

 

 

4.1.9. Tactics used by the SWWR SWAT unit should be approved by the 

Incident Commander of the incident at hand. 

4.1.10. Maintenance of all SWWR SWAT equipment will remain the 

responsibility of the agency which provided it (refer to Appendix B for the 

list of equipment otherwise maintained through this Agreement’s 

equipment repair and replacement schedule). 

4.2. Team Composition: 

4.2.1. The minimum length of assignment shall be three years. The participating 

departments may allow for longer (6+ years) assignments for specialty 

positions that require a high level of training and expertise. Due to the 

amount of training and expertise that is needed to be proficient in certain 

areas, it is recommended that each department designate SWAT as a longterm assignment. 

4.2.2. Seniority will be based by the entry date of each member into the 

specialized combined unit. In the event that unit members entered the unit 

on the same date, their seniority will be based on their hire date with their 

respective department. 

4.2.3. Criteria for application to the SWWR SWAT component are as follows: 

4.2.3.1. Must be off of probation in their current agency of 

employment, and have the approval the head of the agency. 

4.2.3.2. The selection process for SWAT will be conducted per the 

specialty assignment selection process policy of the host 

agency in accordance with applicable state and federal law, and 

as documented in the SWAT Operations Manual. 

4.2.3.3. Once selected, new SWAT team members must complete the 

training requirements as mandated by the SWWR SWAT 

Operations Manual. 

4.2.3.4. A test will be conducted when a vacancy occurs. A list of 

qualified candidates will be eligible for appointment for the 

length of six months. 

4.2.3.5. The Sheriff and Vancouver Police Chief will review the 

selection and authorize the appointment of a new member to 

the SWWR SWAT team. 

MUTUAL LAW ENFORCEMENT ASSISTANCE AGREEMENT REGIONAL S.W.A.T. / NEGOTIATING 

TEAM / TEMS 

__/__/2017 Page 3 of 11 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5. Crisis Negotiating Teams 

5.1. The Crisis Negotiating Team (CNT) should consist of five (5) officers from the 

Clark County Sheriff’s Office Enforcement Branch and five (5) officers from the 

Vancouver Police Department. Two (2) additional positions will be dedicated to 

small agencies that have a candidate, and two (2) additional positions will be 

offered to the Clark County Jail for training purposes. If any of the positions are 

not filled, they may be occupied by any sworn personnel of any participating 

agency. 

5.2. The selection process for CNT will be conducted per the specialty assignment 

selection process policy of the host agency, in accordance with applicable state 

and federal law, and as documented in the CNT Operations Manual. 

5.3. Once selected, new CNT team members must complete a Basic Negotiator 

Training Course within one year and must comply with all other requirements as 

mandated by the CNT Operations Manual. 

5.4. Lieutenants/Commanders from both VPD and CCSO will share organizational 

command. 

6. Tactical Emergency Medical Support Team 

6.1. The regional TEMS unit will consist of up to eight (8) medics. Three (3) positions 

will be specifically assigned to the Vancouver Police Department and three (3) 

positions will be specifically assigned to the Clark County Sheriff’s Office. Two 

(2) additional positions will be dedicated to small agencies who have a candidate. 

If any of the positions are not filled, they may be occupied by any sworn 

personnel of any participating agency. A Team Leader and Assistant Team Leader 

will be identified by SWAT Command. 

6.2. The selection process for TEMS will be conducted per the specialty assignment 

selection process policy of the host agency, in accordance with applicable state 

and federal law, and as documented in the TEMS Operations Manual. 

6.3. Once selected, new TEMS team members must complete required training as 

mandated by the TEMS Operations Manual. 

6.4. TEMS unit members may be supported by approved volunteers for the purpose of 

training, logistics and medical liaison as outlined in the TEMS Operations 

Manual. 

6.5. Lieutenants/Commanders from both VPD and CCSO will share organizational 

command. 

7. SWAT K9 Handlers 

MUTUAL LAW ENFORCEMENT ASSISTANCE AGREEMENT REGIONAL S.W.A.T. / NEGOTIATING 

TEAM / TEMS 

__/__/2017 Page 4 of 11 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7.1. The SWWR SWAT K9 cadre will consist of three canine teams. One position 

from Vancouver Police Department, one from Clark County Sheriff’s Office and 

one will be dedicated to small agencies that have a K9 team. If any of the 

positions are not filled, they may be occupied by any sworn K9 team of any 

participating agency. 

7.2. The selection process for SWAT K9 will be conducted per the specialty 

assignment selection process policy of the host agency, in accordance with 

applicable state and federal law, and as documented in the SWAT Operations 

Manual. 

7.3. Once selected, new SWAT K9 team members must complete required training as 

mandated by the SWWR SWAT Operations Manual. 

8. Metro Explosive Disposal Unit (MEDU) 

8.1. Members of MEDU are highly trained and properly equipped responders in order 

to assist SWWR SWAT in training and deployments. 

8.2. MEDU response and practices will correspond with the Metropolitan Explosive 

Disposal Unit Mutual Law Enforcement Agreement. 

8.3. When members of MEDU are deployed with SWAT in a support role, MEDU 

reports to SWAT Command. 

9. Budget, Finance and Insurance 

9.1. Notwithstanding any contrary provisions of the Master Agreement between 

parties, the parties agree to budget and finance provisions for costs incurred by or 

in connection with the operations of the consolidated SWWR SWAT as follows: 

9.2. For purposes of budget and finance, the Vancouver Police Department shall act as 

the host Agency. 

9.3. “SWWR SWAT” as used in this section regarding the budget and finance 

provisions of this MOU refers to the combined units of the SWWR SWAT 

(including SWAT K9, CNT and TEMS). 

9.4. The City of Vancouver will establish a single SWWR SWAT operational budget. 

All direct SWWR SWAT costs including, supplies, services, equipment and 

training costs, vehicle insurance and equipment replacements costs for the 

vehicles utilized exclusively for SWAT operations, will be expensed from the 

Vancouver Police Department SWWR SWAT budget. 

9.5. Any insurance purchased to cover vehicles or equipment used by SWAT will 

name the other participating jurisdictions as “additional insureds.” 

MUTUAL LAW ENFORCEMENT ASSISTANCE AGREEMENT REGIONAL S.W.A.T. / NEGOTIATING 

TEAM / TEMS 

__/__/2017 Page 5 of 11 
 

 

 

 

9.7. 

 

 

 

 

 

9.6. The host agency shall maintain a tracking of direct and other costs, such as 

overtime by the participating agencies. All SWAT related costs (as defined in 

Appendix A) to include staffing backfill will be tracked and reported. For the 

purpose of this agreement, regular salaries (on duty, straight time) shall not be 

tracked or considered part of SWWR SWAT services. Non-labor and overtime 

costs will be calculated as provided in Appendix A to this Agreement. In all other 

respects, this Agreement shall be governed by the Financial Administration 

provisions of the Master Agreement between the parties. 

The host agency will bill each participating agency quarterly or annually as 

requested by the billed agency. Annual billing will be completed by January 31st 

for that year and the quarterly billing will be completed by the end of the 

following month of the quarter of that year. 

9.8. The host agency will provide an operations and equipment replacement program 

to the respective agencies by the November Law Enforcement Council (LEC) 

meeting each year. 

9.8.1. Equipment primarily utilized by SWWR SWAT (including SWAT K9, 

CNT and TEMS) purchased with the intent to be maintained during its 

life-expectancy, and replaced at the end of its usefulness will be agreed 

upon by LEC prior to being included to account for ER&R budgeting. 

9.8.2. If a party wished to purchase equipment to be utilized by SWWR SWAT 

(including SWAT K9, CNT and TEMS), and LEC does not approve the 

equipment to be included in the ER&R budget, LEC will decide if it is to 

be purchased through the SWAT budget. If LEC decides to not share in 

the cost for the purchase, the party wishing to purchase the equipment can 

do so at its own expense. 

9.9. Participating agencies agree to leave any monies left over from that calendar year 

in the SWWR SWAT Fund balance set up by the host agency, which will be held 

in the account to supplement/augment SWWR SWAT organizational operations 

with the approval of LEC. 

9.10. Emergency expenses outside the parameters of the approved budget can be 

approved after the fact, but limited to operational necessity (i.e., supplies related 

to a SWWR SWAT operation not accounted for in the ER&R). 

9.11. The parties acknowledge that some of the above-mentioned budget and finance 

provisions conflict or may conflict with the terms of the Master Agreement. All 

parties intend that the budget and finance provision contained herein shall govern 

the activities of SWWR SWAT (including SWAT K9, CNT and TEMS). 

MUTUAL LAW ENFORCEMENT ASSISTANCE AGREEMENT REGIONAL S.W.A.T. / NEGOTIATING 

TEAM / TEMS 

__/__/2017 Page 6 of 11 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10. Policy Development and Review 

10.1. The host agency will coordinate the development of SWWR SWAT Operations 

Manual, subject to review by all participating agencies. 

10.2. Following changes or updates, the host agency shall forward copies of all SWWR 

SWAT Operations Manual to all participating agencies. 

11. Termination and Disposition of Property 

11.1. During any period of extension or renewal of this Agreement, any party may 

terminate participation hereunder by providing six months prior written notice to 

the other parties. 

11.2. Upon termination of this agreement and the disbandment of the SWWR SWAT 

Team, SWAT K9, CNT and/or TEMS, member agency property, including 

vehicles, equipment and Class C low explosives shall belong to the party who 

provided or paid for them. Jointly purchased items will be distributed between the 

Clark County Sheriff’s Office and the Vancouver Police Department. The parties 

acknowledge that some of the above-mentioned provisions conflict or may 

conflict with the terms of the Master Agreement. All parties intend that the 

provisions contained herein concerning termination and disposition of property 

shall govern. 

12. Amendments 

12.1. This MOU may only be changed, modified, or amended upon the unanimous 

written approval of all the parties. 

13. Choice of Law 

13.1. The parties agree that, in connection with their activities under this MOU, they 

shall comply with all applicable federal, state and local laws or regulations and, 

further, that this MOU shall be construed according to the laws of the State of 

Washington. 

MUTUAL LAW ENFORCEMENT ASSISTANCE AGREEMENT REGIONAL S.W.A.T. / NEGOTIATING 

TEAM / TEMS 

__/__/2017 Page 7 of 11 
 

 

 

 

 

 

APPENDIX A 

For the purpose of developing an annual agency contribution toward SWAT, the total current 

non-labor related costs that include operating supplies, communications, protective clothing, 

equipment, departmental overhead, training, rentals, and miscellaneous costs will be allocated to 

each participating agency by blending 50% of each agency’s percentage of population calculated 

using the total of all participating agencies as a base, per the most recent Washington OFM 

numbers and 50% of each agency’s calls for service calculated using the total of all participating 

agencies as a base, as accounted for by CRESA averaged over the most recent two years. 

Each agency’s participating team members will be defined as one (1) full-time member if 

assigned to the team for more than 50% of the calendar year. Commanders will not be included 

as team members for this count. Team members are defined as members of SWAT, SWAT K9, 

Tactical Emergency Medical Support Team (TEMS), Crisis Negotiating Team (CNT), SWAT 

Command and Metro Explosive Disposal Unit (MEDU). The membership data will use the most 

recent years total members (i.e., 2014 members will be used to calculate the 2016 data). 

Each agency with participating members shall track the overtime and comp-time costs associated 

with missions, outreach, call-outs, training and patrol backfill for staff. The overtime costs are to 

be calculated using the most recent years total actual overtime costs for all team members (i.e., 

2014 overtime actual costs will be used to calculate the 2016 base billing). Overtime and comptime costs will include wage-driven benefits only. Wage-driven benefits will be applied at the 

rate when the overtime and comp-time occurred (i.e., 2014 overtime actual costs will use 2014 

benefit costs). Each agency will have to provide supporting information for the costs to the Host 

Agency annually after the closure of the year. 

A second calculation will be done using an agency’s actual overtime and comp-time costs 

incurred as described above and applied as a credit toward the billed overtime. The amounts 

from the non-labor related budget and the overtime actual costs will be combined to establish the 

current base year billings. Should the calculation result in a credit for any agency, that agency 

will have the credit applied to future years’ billings. 

A sample calculation is shown on Appendix B. 

Billing for participating of non-population based entities (i.e., WSU) and for non-participating 

agencies will be negotiated on an individual basis. Any additional income derived from any of 

these agencies will be used to offset participating agency’s costs. 

MUTUAL LAW ENFORCEMENT ASSISTANCE AGREEMENT REGIONAL S.W.A.T. / NEGOTIATING 

TEAM / TEMS 

__/__/2017 Page 8 of 11 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

_________________________________ 

_________________________________ _________________________________ 

EXECUTED on the day and year first written below. 

CITY OF BATTLE GROUND, WASHINGTON 

City Manager 

Date: ____________________________ 

Approved as to form: 

Clerk City Attorney 

Address for Notice: 

Bob Richardson, Police Chief 

Battle Ground Police Department 

City of Battle Ground 

507 SW 1st Street 

Battle Ground, WA 98604 

Additional signature pages for: 

Mayor, City of Camas, Washington 

Mayor, City of La Center, Washington 

City Manager, City of Ridgefield, Washington 

City Manager, City of Vancouver, Washington 

Mayor, City of Washougal, Washington 

Sheriff, Clark County, Washington 

Campus Executive Officer and Dean, Washington State University 

MUTUAL LAW ENFORCEMENT ASSISTANCE AGREEMENT REGIONAL S.W.A.T. / NEGOTIATING 

TEAM / TEMS 

__/__/2017 Page 9 of 11 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

_________________________________ 

_________________________________ 

_________________________________ 

_________________________________ 

_________________________________ 

____________________________ 

_________________________________ 

_________________________________ 

_________________________________ 

EXECUTED on the day and year first written below. 

CLARK COUNTY SHERIFF 

Chuck Atkins, Sheriff 

Date: ____________________________ 

Clerk 

Approved as to form 

Tony Golik 

Prosecuting Attorney 

Senior Deputy 

Address for Notice: 

Chuck Atkins, Sheriff 

Clark County Sheriff’s Office 

Post Office Box 410 

Vancouver, WA 98666 

Board of County Commissioners, 

Clark Co., WA 

Marc Boldt, Chair 

Jeanne E. Stewart, Councilor 

Julie Olson, Councilor 

John Blom, Councilor 

Eileen Quiring, Councilor 

ATTEST: 

Clerk to the Board 

MUTUAL LAW ENFORCEMENT ASSISTANCE AGREEMENT REGIONAL S.W.A.T. / NEGOTIATING 

TEAM / TEMS 

__/__/2017 Page 10 of 11 
 

 

 

 

_________________________________ 

_________________________________ 

EXECUTED on the day and year first written below. 

WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY, WASHINGTON 

Recommended by 

Campus Executive Officer and Dean 

Date _____________________________ 

Approved 

Amanda N. Owen 

Contracts Manager, Finance and Administration 

Address for Notice: 

Lynn Valenter 

Director of Finance and Operations 

Washington State University Vancouver 

14204 NE Salmon Creek Avenue 

Vancouver, WA 98686 

MUTUAL LAW ENFORCEMENT ASSISTANCE AGREEMENT REGIONAL S.W.A.T. / NEGOTIATING 

TEAM / TEMS 

__/__/2017 Page 11 of 11